Darwin Military Museum opens Holocaust Memorial

With a view to ensuring future Territorians are reminded of the dangers of racial and religious-based hatred, a new memorial dedicated to one of history’s darkest chapters has been opened.

Dr Norman Cramp of the Darwin Military Museum.

With a view to ensuring future generations do not forget the danger of racial and religious hatred, the Darwin Military Museum has added a new exhibition to its quiet, outdoor space.

More than 15 months after work commenced to deliver the project, the Darwin Holocaust Memorial and Education Centre opened this week, surrounded by bush and sheltered with a tropical tree canopy.

A humble looking shed from the outside, the memorial’s hushed walkways captures the gravity of Europe’s darkest chapter.

By opening the gate, visitors make a conscious decision to understand the horrors of the Holocaust. Picture: Harry Brill.

Documenting the European anti-semitism from 1932 to 1945, museum director Dr Norman Cramp said the memorial was intended to educate future Territorians.

“There are an increasing number of Holocaust deniers and one of the ways that we can avoid something catastrophic like this happening again is to educate people,” he said.

“If we don’t make people aware, people who ignore history are very likely to allow it to repeat itself.”

Dr Cramp says the museum has been receiving positive feedback. Picture: Harry Brill.

The vision to establish such a memorial was first expressed in January 2022, when former Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, while visiting the Top End, announced the Commonwealth would fund a Holocaust memorial in Darwin.

In April, 2023, the Royal Australian Artillery Association NT and Dr Cramp agreed to manage the project and create the exhibition.

The memorial is filled with quotes, memories and images. Picture: Harry Brill.

After a few “bumps in the road”, Dr Cramp said he was overjoyed to see the final product.

“The feedback has been very positive and complimentary and we think we’ve done a wonderful job,” he said.

“Thanks needs to go to all the people who contributed to this – the Sydney Jewish Museum were the lead consultants on this, giving us all their knowledge and expertise pro bono.”

A Nazi aircraft at an airfield in Parap, Darwin, in 1938.

In conducting his research, Dr Cramp discovered a pair of Nazi planes bearing swastikas had actually landed in Darwin before the war, highlighting the far-reaching influence of Hitler’s Germany.

“A lot of people wouldn’t know that Nazis came to Darwin in 1938 where there were two visits by Luftwaffe aircraft,” he said.

“One of them blew a tire, skidded of the runway and got bogged when it landed at Darwin airstrip.

“The second aircraft was a single engine monoplane which, by what my research shows, the Germans were trying to sell around the world.”

Solomon MP Luke Gosling visiting the new memorial. Picture: Supplied.

Solomon MP Luke Gosling said the memorial allowed Territorian educators to teach the “human tragedy” of Holocaust.

“We must continue to learn the lessons from the past and apply them now given how the conflict in the Middle East has deeply affected communities across Australia,” he said.

“I am pleased that the exhibition identifies some of the Jewish persons who served in the Australian Armed Forces and who served in the Northern Territory.”

The final message as visitors depart. Picture: Harry Brill.

Expected to attract up to 50,000 visitors annually, Dr Cramp said he hoped the memorial would value-add to the fight against extremism.

“We are seeing the rise of Neo Nazism in parts of Australia, particularly Sydney and Melbourne, and that’s really scary,” he said.

“It’s really a concern, so we need to educate.”